Renault 16TS Technical Specifications

Only a few months after its introduction in Europe, the Renault 16 was awarded "The Car Of The Year" Award by an International jury of thirty-two motoring journalists. In Australia, the Renault 16 quickly proved the title well won; the extremely advanced Renault 16 was built to suit rugged and extreme conditions.

The TS ("Tourisme Sport) was a high performance vehicle combining excellent performmance with superb comfort and luxury. It provided a sense of elation, providing superb control and energy at speeds of 100 mph plus.

Renault 16TS refinements applied equally to engineering and functional luxury features. With a performance like that of the TS, it was important to have complete all-round safety, and lap/sash seat belts were standard. Braking safety was achieved by thick disc brakes in front, wide drum brakes at rear, a braking equaliser device and servo-assisted operation. Radial ply tires were, naturally, standard kit.

The Renault 16's Disc/Drum combination stopped the car promptly in any emergency, without any sign of rear wheel locking or side drag. The pressure equalising device varied the pressure to the rear brakes according to the load in the car, so the maximum rear braking was applied just short of wheel locking. The brakes were virtually fade free on repeated high speed stops.

One of the most impressive features of the 16TS was the exceptionally good ride, which was accredited to the indeependent torsion bar springing at front and rear with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. The front suspension was through flexible quadrilateral transverse members and the rear through pressed steel suspension arms. In addition, there were anti-roll bars on front and rear.

Being a front-wheel drive car, the 16TS had a high cornering ability. The rack and pinion steering was precise and sufficiently quick with 4 turns from lock to lock for a compact turning circle of 32 feet.

The TS engine, with its Gordini hemi-head, was capable of producing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour in top gear, 80.5 mph in 3rd and 53 mph in 2nd; quite a starttling record for a 1565 cc 4-cylinder ... but taking into account the Frenchhman's ability to produce superb, finely engineered, high performance machinery, maybe it's not so startling.

And it would be remiss not to again mention those fantastically comfortable Renault seats which, in the 16, could be arranged in seven different positions, from a special rally position to increased rear luggage space for holiday travel.

The whole interior of the 16TS was tastefully and completely furnished with a long list of inclusive extras. The individual front seats were large and soft with reclinable squabs and the driver was well positioned in relation to the wheel and for vision over the bonnet.

Driving aids included quartz-iodine driving lights, reversing lights, 2-speed wipers and washers, an anti-glare rear view mirror and electric demistters in the rear windscreen. The car was also equipped with an ingenious heating, cooling and demisting system.

Looking back on the Renault 16TS now, one is reminded what a remarkably versatile and practical car it was, particularly given it was usable either as a saloon or station wagon. It was distinguished by exceptional comfort and speed for its size. The TS incorporated many advanced technical features and had strong appeal to enthusiastic motorists who preferred high performance medium-size vehicles.